Development of a mobile application for detection of adolescent mental health problems and feasibility assessment with primary health care workers

INTRODUCTION : There has been a sharp increase in the use of digital health interventions in global health, particularly mobile health applications, in recent years. The extreme shortage of health care providers trained in mental health screening and intervention in low- and middle-income countries raises questions about the applicability of mobile applications to deliver these services due to their accessibility and availability. This exploratory paper describes the development and feasibility assessment of a mobile screening application for the detection of mental disorders among adolescents in Zambia and South Africa. METHODS : Eighty-two health care workers (HCW) working in primary care evaluated the acceptability and practicality of the mobile screening application after receiving brief training. The evaluation included questions from the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) as well as open-ended questions. RESULTS : The acceptability of the screening app was high and study participants were positive about using the app in routine care. Problems with internet connectivity, and time and staff constraints were perceived as the main barriers to regular use. CONCLUSION : HCW in primary care were able and willing to use a mobile screening app for the detection of mental health problems among treatment-seeking adolescents. Implementation in clinical practice needs to be further evaluated.Erasmus + Capacity Building.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/imhn20hj2023Psychiatr

Design and development process of a youth depression screening m-health application for primary health care workers in South Africa and Zambia : an overview of the MEGA project

Literature indicates a high prevalence and burden of mental illness in youths world-wide, which may be even higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), such as South Africa and Zambia. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge regarding youth depression amongst many primary health care (PHC) practitioners. The principal goal of the MEGA project is to provide youth with better access to mental health services and appropriate care, by developing a mental health screening mobile application tool to be used in PHC settings in South Africa and Zambia. In this study, we will use a mixed methods multi-center study design. In phase one, we will investigate the mental health literacy of PHC practitioners to identify areas in need of development. Based on the needs identified, we will develop and test a mobile health application to screen for common youth mental health problems in phase two. In phase three, we will implement and evaluate a tiered education and training program in the use of the m-health application. In the final phase, we will evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the m-health application in PHC centres across South Africa and Zambia. Evidence suggests that PHC practitioners should routinely consider mental illness when assessing youth. However, common psychiatric disorders remain largely undetected and untreated in PHC settings. By identifying limitations in PHC workers knowledge with regard to youth mental health, we aspire to improve the depression care provided to youth in Southern Africa and Zambia by developing and implementing a locally relevant m-health application.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/imhn20hj2020Psychiatr

Knowledge,attitudes and practices of nurses towards prevention of childhood blidness at mansa general hospital.

The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses at Mansa General Hospital towards prevention of childhood blindness. The reason to undertake this study emanated from the long working experience of the Researcher at Lubwe Mission Hospital in Sanfya District of Luapula Province in Eye Clinic. It was observed that, nurses took little on no steps in the prevention of childhood blindness. In Zambia childhood blindness is one of the major health problems. Statistics obtained from Mansa District Action Plan 2006 indicates that, the prevalence of eye infections (175.2/1000 in 2005) in Mansa is high and eye infections are one of the top ten causes of morbidity in the under five children. Most of these eye infections cause blindness. The main factors that may affect practice of nurses towards prevention of childhood blindness may be service related, disease related, socioeconomic and cultural factors. Low levels of knowledge, negative attitude, training in primary eye care, placement of nurses and institution policies among others may contribute to the poor practices of nurses in prevention of childhood blindness. A descriptive cross sectional study design with both qualitative and quantitative dimensions was used in this study with the help of a self administered questionnaire to collect data from the respondents.The study population were nurses at Mansa General Hospital. A probability sampling method called simple random sampling using the lottery technique was used to select the sample. The sample size for this study comprised of 50 nurses. Data was collected between 1st and 30th September, 2008.The study revealed that low levels of knowledge (44%) and lack of policy and guidelines on prevention of childhood blindness (56%) were some of the factors among others that contributed to poor practice of nurses on prevention of childhood blindness

Development of a mobile application for detection of adolescent mental health problems and feasibility assessment with primary health care workers

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